Check out this recipe for peanut butter banana dog treats, or opt for a no-bake snack with this frozen peanut butter banana recipe.
Bananas are a good treat for dogs because they are high in potassium, fiber, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Still, like other “human” foods, the best rule of thumb is everything in moderation. Bananas contain a lot of sugar, which can cause weight gain if eaten in excess. The fiber in bananas can also cause digestive problems like diarrhea, making them a treat that’s best served on occasion, Purina says.
What human foods can dogs eat?:Heres what is and isnt safe for your pet to consume.
Because theres a lot of fiber and sugar in bananas, too much of the fruit can give dogs diarrhea or an upset stomach. According to Rover, the amount of banana that avoids having an unhappy pup depends on the size of your dog — limit small dogs to thin slices.
One of the most common red-flag fruits are grapes, which are highly toxic to dogs because of tartaric acid that can cause vomiting, diarrhea or even kidney failure, according to Grady Veterinarian Hospital in Cincinnati.
When Are Bananas Bad for Dogs?
Bananas have high sugar content, meaning they can be harmful to dogs if they eat too much of them. Like other fruits, bananas contain natural sugar. Too much of any type of sugar can cause weight gain, which can lead to other health issues.
To avoid these adverse effects, follow the 90/10 rule. Ninety percent of your dog’s daily calories should come from their dog food and the other ten percent from treats.
Some people think bananas will improve the symptoms of digestive upset like diarrhea, but that’s not always the case. Instead of feeding your dog more bananas, watch his food intake and reduce the amount to see what he tolerates. If diarrhea and other symptoms don’t resolve within 24 hours, call your veterinarian.
Can You Give A Banana To A Dog With Diarrhea?
When sick with diarrhea, it means food travels through his GI tract faster than usual.
The result is that the gut and the colon have less time to absorb water from the digested food.
To ease the symptoms, your dog will require fiber-rich foods to help his gut to form solid stools.
Fiber typically absorbs water hence making stools solid. It also slows down the movement of food along the GI tract, so the large intestine can absorb more water.
Bananas are super-rich in fiber. 100 grams will give about 2.4% of soluble fiber. This is quite a lot compared to other foods.
Pectin, the name of the soluble fiber in bananas, helps both the colon and the GI tract to bind stools.
Besides being high in fiber, bananas have an abundance of potassium. This important electrolyte plays a vital role in the normal function of the nerves and muscles.
When a dog is suffering from diarrhea, potassium can also be easily depleted. Feeding one or two bananas to a dog with diarrhea and vomiting can save the day.
Finally, these tasty fruits have cooling and moisturizing properties. They can restore lost energy and replenish a dehydrated body respectively.